Applications of peer support in disasters: Connecting in times of disaster

Abstract

Disasters invariably result in a surge in demand for mental health services, and this surge quickly exceeds available mental health resources. The pursuit of alternative sources of psychological support for communities adversely affected by disasters has therefore been necessitated. This paper describes the application of an awarding-winner, empirically validated, model for psychological support and its applicability for enhancing community disaster mental health resources that are consistent with United Nations’ recommendations for a “whole society” approach to disaster mental health. The model utilises the concept of peer-based psychological support. Peer psychological support is defined as the utilisation of individuals specially trained in the provision of acute psychological crisis interventions and psychological first aid, but who do not possess professional-level training or licensure in one of the mental health disciplines. These peer-based crisis intervention services may be delivered telephonically, via the internet, or face-to-face. This model, referred to as Reciprocal Peer Support (RPS), is the peer support activity provided at Rutgers University Behavioural HealthCare (UBHC) National Center for Peer Support in a variety of peer programs. More than 20 years of peer support interventions have been reviewed and assessed to clarify the lessons learned for the application of RPS as a prime exemplar for the utilization of peer support during and after a disaster. The Cop 2 Cop, NJ Vet 2 Vet, and several other UBHC peer support programs, which conform to best practices criteria, have been created, sustained, and expanded based on the RSP principles discussed in this article. RPS and derivative applications for human-made disasters such as the terrorist events of 9/11/2001 as well as natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina or the COVID- 19 pandemic represent platforms for the implementation of peer psychological support and the establishment of a peer-based continuum of psychological connection.